Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Vincent Foy Obituary

Family-Placed Funeral Notice

VINCENT FOY 94, of Boynton Beach, was born January 23, 1909 in Brooklyn, New York and passed away Monday, December 15, 2003. He was raised by his great-aunt, a retired New York City school teacher, who immigrated to this country from County Longford, Ireland. Most of VincentÕs adult life was spent as a contractors trade association executive in New York. He represented management in labor relations matters. He was well regarded by building trades unions and was given honorary life membership in a national trade union. Vincent was a life member of the American Society of Association Executives, a member of Toastmasters International and St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach. Upon retirement in 1975, Vincent and his late wife, Nina, came from Port Washington, New York to Boynton Beach, Florida. Not content with retirement, Vincent then worked as a labor relations representative for a national contractors trade association. In addition, he was labor relations writer for a contractors magazine. Later, he became a labor arbitrator. He served on the panels of the American Arbitration Association, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the National Mediation Board and the Panel for the Settlement of Jurisdictional Disputes in the Construction Industry. Vincent conducted arbitration hearings in Boca Raton, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tamarac and Tampa, as well as outside the state of Florida. Vincent worked as a volunteer in the Human Resources Department at Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach, Florida. He also served as a judge in speaking contests for Florida high school and college students. He also served a teenage help program sponsored by Governor Lawton Chiles known as G.I.F.T. or GovernorÕs Initiative for Teens. Vincent is survived by his beloved granddaughter, Christine Lieber of Redondo Beach, California; and his stepdaughter, Peggy Lieber and her husband Eric of Beverly Hills, California. Vincent frequently mentioned, as his favorite song, ÒWhat A Wonderful WorldÓ" because he said, ÒIt is.Ó A Memorial Gathering will be held from 2 - 4 PM Saturday, December 20, 2003 with a Prayer Service at 3:00 PM at SCOBEE-COMBS-BOWDEN FUNERAL HOME, corner of U.S. Hwy. #1 & NE 15th Avenue. SCOBEE-COMBS-BOWDEN FUNERAL HOME Boynton Beach, Florida Family Owned & Operated To express condolences, send flowers or donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Palm Beach Post from Dec. 18 to Dec. 19, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Vincent Foy

Sponsored by Vincent's Most Grateful Toastmaster Friends.

21 Entries

Sherry Lee Meltzer

July 15, 2021

Vincent,
It is 2021 and your memory is still strong in Toastmaster meetings and in my heart! Thank you for all you taught me! I am a better person because you were a mentor.
Miss you,
Sherry Meltzer

Ed Lamont

December 12, 2020

After all these years, we speak of Vincent often among his friends. Not only was he unforgettable, Vincent's kindness and wisdom continue to benefit the world today. If anyone needs an example of what a gentleman is, then just think of Vincent Foy.

Brenda Robinson

July 30, 2007

I was not one of the very lucky people whose path crossed Mr. Foy's.
Since I joined the Bill Gove Golden Gavel Toastmasters Club three years ago, I have heard about him frequently. In very loving, wistful, glowing remarks, my Toastmaster friends talk of him in a manner that shows me that he was and is a true legend who remains always in the hearts of those he encountered.
I feel so very blessed to have been given the Vincent Foy Award a few nights ago, from my club. Thank you, Vincent, for making that possible, and for your winning, wise, wonderful words and ways.

Ed Lamont

February 8, 2004

No role models, no clear vision of what you want to be.

Vincent was my role model for speaking excellence, gentlemanly conduct, and confident humility. I am a lucky man to know Vincent.

Our world is a kinder, wiser place because of the life he lived and people he touched.

His gentle ways will impact lives long after all his many friends draw their last breathes.

Tim Morell

January 31, 2004

Vincent, I miss you. But every now and then I think about you or something you said. When I do that, I can talk with you and hear you talking back to me as clearly as if I were simply calling you on the phone.

Here I share another side of you that I haven't heard anyone else talk about. Your drive. Your determination to be the best you could be.

Your friend Bill Gove taught you to always be responsible to your audience, but not for your audience. And, so, you practiced, you polished and perfected every speech you ever gave. But if it didn't work out, or if the audience judged you less than what you felt you deserved, you knew that you gave it all your best--and that was enough.

About character you told me that it couldn't just be dreamed into shape--character had to be hammered, forged, into reality and, that was something we each would have to do on our own.

After all the wonderful things you've said and done for me and for everyone else that you've touched, now that the trophies and ribbons and applause are past, your legacy surely is the dedication to doing with our lives the very best we can.

And so, my final dedication to you is what you always wrote in signing off on your letters & notes to me:

All the best!

I love you,

tim

Jane Ford

January 25, 2004

I received a Christmas card postmarked December 15, 2003, the day that Vincent left us. The handwritten message said, "It's a little bit of magic we reflect - we think about what counts - people such as you". The message is a "Vincent", always saying something kind, complementary and encouraging to others. He shall forever be known to me as St. Vincent Foy. What a blessing to have known him!

Juan Restrepo

January 22, 2004

A gentleman's gentleman. Vincent was a person anyone can look up to and aspire to be like. He commanded respect when he entered the room, as when a commander boarded his ship. His voice was powerful and melodic, it was a pleasure to hear him speak.

My condolences to the family, he will be missed on earth, but I am sure heaven is happy to have him. God Bless

Mary Wollney

January 16, 2004

Vincent was simply the best! He was a caring, loving man who made each of us feel that we were tops in his book. With style and class, he demonstrated the best side of mankind.

Vincent, wherever you are...it is a brighter, better place! May the love of God be with you.

With profound respect, appreciation and love,

Mary

Vincent Foy, leading the Pledge shortly after 9-11

January 15, 2004

Lynda Hammond

January 14, 2004

What a treasure this gifted man was to all within earshot of his magnificent voice! Vincent was a man of great character. He was deeply reserved...or so you thought until you'd catch the twinkle in his eye that let you know a mischievous sense of humor lurked within that steady, no nonsense facade. Committed in his convictions, persuasive in his cause, Vincent Foy was a man of honor and tradition whose love had a quiet depth. No one recited the United States Pledge of Allegiance as proudly as this man. I am so blessed to have known him.

David Brunell

January 14, 2004

Vincent was a constant source of inspiration to myself and fellow Toastmasters. He will be missed a great deal, but the positive influences that he left behind will stay with humanity for generations to come.

Mary Ann Jensen

December 22, 2003

Vincent volunteered in the Employee Health Office at Bethesda Memorial Hospital for many years. He was loved by all who new him and was an inspiration to those who visited our office. We were truly blessed by his presence and were encouraged by his notes of appreciation. We will always remember his eloquent stories and his positive uplifting attitude. He will remain forever in our hearts. I look forward to the day we meet again in heaven.

Rosalind Sedacca

December 21, 2003

Charming, warm, witty, elequent and always a gentleman ... that is the Vincent Foy I will fondly remember. He left a lasting impression on those who knew him, as colleague, speaker, Toastmaster, friend. And he earned the respect of all. Vincent was a rare mixture of a man, a Knight in Shining Armor, reminiscent of a bygone era. His light will shine on forever in the hearts of those whose lives he touched.

Diane Schwartz

December 19, 2003

Vincent's passing is a great loss for everyone who knew him. I met him at Toastmasters and then at Florida Speakers Association. Anyone who observed Vincent knew that he lit up the room, any room, and everyone always clamored to say "hello" to Vincent. In fact, he was a guest speaker at a NAWBO meeting and it was the best meeting we had. I am not sure what it was, but there was something very positive about his presence. The meeting was unusually lively and we (all the girls) had a great time with him.

Vincent was truly one of a kind. He reminded me a little bit of Fred Astaire in his look and in his demeanor. He was one of the last of a breed. He had a heart of gold and love emanating from every pore of his body. I was crazy about Vincent, and he told me that if only he were 30 years younger, he would have pursued me. Now I realize that he probably told all the females that! Vincent wanted everyone he met to feel good about themselves and there were no exceptions. He was a master of good taste and we all could have taken lessons from him.

Vincent was a generous man. He wrote notes of encouragement just to let you know that he was thinking of you. I saved every note that he ever send me - I wanted to be reminded of Vincent always. He was a gift and a very special human being.

I love you Vincent, I will miss you, and I will never forget you!!!

Juanita Haynes-Phillips

December 19, 2003

Vincent,

you left a positive impression on everyone you met no one can forget you! You always remembered my name and where I worked. You always asked after my daugher whom you met when she was 13 year old.

And, you left such an impression on her and, charmed her so much that to this day (now 15) she still asks after you each P&BF luncheon I attend. It will be with great sadness that I will inform her of your passing. You will be sorely missed by her!

You were always charming and upbeat, and such a gentleman to boot!

We will miss you at the meetings and we will miss your favorite sayings as well!

See you on the other side my friend!

Kathy Shabotynskyj

December 19, 2003

MARVELOUS! Vincent Foy leaves a legacy of intelligence, caring and giving. How lucky I am to have enjoyed his company and learned from his examples in public speaking and humanitarianism. My everlasting treasures are my fond memories, his personal notes and the Vincent Foy Award from the Bill Gove Golden Gavel Toastmasters Club. Vincent Foy, a MARVELOUS human being!

Thanks for the opportunity to share!

Joel & Susan Schwartz

December 18, 2003

I met Vincent at a meeting of the Professional and Business Forum. Vincent was the consumate gentlemen. He was always friendly, charming and 'up'. Although he met my wife, Susan, only once, he always asked after her by name. He was a positive influence in our associatioon and we will miss him as both a member and as a friend.

Heidi Sherman

December 18, 2003

Vincent was a cherished member of the Professional & Business Forum.

As founder and president of P&BF, this morning I included the following in an e-mail letter to each of our 115 members:

"I had a wonderful, long conversation with Vincent in September before our Kick-Off. He was having trouble with his lungs and couldn't walk up stairs or for any distance. He told me about his lengthy career as a labor arbitrator and how the years spent in smoky rooms had damaged his lungs. He also shared that he had been a lifeguard on Coney Island during the Depression years. I spoke with him again before the October meeting and offered to have one of us pick him up and drive him to the meeting. He very graciously thanked me and said he didn't want to trouble anyone but would let me know if he felt better. As always he mailed in his check for the luncheon and when I told him I would hold it until he returned, he insisted I deposit it as a gift to P&BF. I last spoke with him briefly before the Membership Reception and he reiterated, as he has since last spring, 'I will be back!'

Over the years Vincent has sent me many short notes - always kind, always charming, always complimentary. Season after season Vincent was always the first person to renew his membership in P&BF. Every August his check, often with a sweet note included, would arrive ahead of all others. Month after month his luncheon registration envelope was the first in the mail.

I depended upon him more than he ever knew, for his encouragement and for his loyalty. I knew that Vincent would always be there with a smile for P&BF and for me.

Who imagined that Vincent was about to celebrate his 95th birthday? His heart and positive spirit were among the most vibrant in the room.

We will miss him greatly."

Heidi Sherman

Founder and President

The Professional & Business Forum

PO Box 31417

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420-1417

Brent Winans

December 18, 2003

Vincent was the kind of person I hope to be when I grow up. My favorite Vincent story occured at a Professional and Business Forum meeting, where we were both members.

I walked in and saw Vincent talking intently to a lady at his table. They were so locked in conversation that I probably shouldn't have interrupted, but I wanted to greet him before the meeting.

When he saw me he stood up and said, "Brent, it's so good to see you. I was just telling Miss Dewey that a woman, with the touch of her hand, can calm a man and infuse him with courage."

Vincent, you were forever the eloquent charmer, and we will miss you so.

Allison Blankenship

December 18, 2003

Vincent was a treasured friend through the Florida Speaker's Association. I fondly called him my "gentleman caller" due to his dapper appearance and wonderful, gracious demeanor. We recently traded Christmas cards in which, in his ever optimistic style, he blessed me with his wonderful wit and genuine sincerity. When I think of a gentleman in the truest sense of the word, I'll think of Vincent. May God bless him and your family.

M. Tina Dupree, PhD

December 18, 2003

Vincent was a loyal member of the Florida Speakers Association for many years. He touched our souls each time we saw him. He had a golden deep rich voice that was unforgettable. I am thankful that he blessed my life with his presence. I am thankful that he was my friend.

M. Tina Dupree

Liaison to the National Speakers Association representing the Florida Chapers

Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results